Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has suggested that Arsenal missed an opportunity in the January transfer window by not signing a prolific centre-forward, insisting that a top-class striker would significantly improve Martin Odegaard’s influence on the pitch.
Scholes, speaking on The Overlap, named Jhon Duran (formerly of Aston Villa, now at Al Nassr) and Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) as ideal options who could have enhanced Odegaard’s game, allowing him to thrive further as a playmaker.
“Martin Odegaard is a brilliant player; he can put a ball anywhere he wants. But he needs a real centre-forward ahead of him,” Scholes stated.
“Kai Havertz isn’t that type of player. He might make the odd run, but if you had someone like Isak or Duran in front of him, it would elevate his game, involve him more in goals, and make Arsenal an even bigger threat.”
Despite Odegaard’s stellar form—scoring in Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Manchester City on Sunday—the former United midfielder believes Mikel Arteta’s squad still lacks a true No. 9, a gap that could prove costly in the title race.
While Duran opted for a move to Saudi Arabia, Isak remains at Newcastle United, where he continues to attract interest from top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea.
